AMES, Ia. — Kyle Kempt is holding his own among the Big 12’s best quarterbacks, since suddenly commanding Iowa State’s explosive offense three games ago.

Go ahead and mention him in the same sentence as headliners Baker Mayfield and Mason Rudolph and Kenny Hill. You certainly can make that case, as Kempt and Co. are about to play the biggest game in their college lives.

It’s 25th-ranked Iowa State against fourth-rated TCU in a game that’s so significant that it’s on ABC television in parts of the country and ESPN2 where it’s not on ABC.

Announcers will tell the Joel Lanning story. They’ll talk about the wonderful coaching job Matt Campbell and his staff have done in their second season on the job, and they’ll discuss their soft-spoken, laid-back quarterback.

If accuracy is your thing, then Kempt’s 69.7 percent as an efficient starter is behind only Mayfield of Oklahoma and Texas Tech’s Nic Shimonek during their comparable last three games.

Touchdown passes? Kempt’s seven is behind only Will Grier of West Virginia.

Passing yards? You got me on this one. Oklahoma State’s Rudolph has 1,117 yards the past three games, but he’s thrown one fewer touchdown than Kempt.

Victories? Kempt, TCU’s Hill and Rudolph are 3-0 in their last three games.

What this Saturday Stat Attack means is that steady Kempt has been very good since replacing Jacob Park. He’s been consistent. He’s been a winner, and remember, he’s a walk-on.

I’ve heard people ask what if Kempt started all season, but I’m not going there. No one knows if he would have been good enough to beat Iowa or Texas, the only two teams that have beaten Iowa State.

What we know is that Mr. Unflappable starts a 2:30 p.m. game against TCU on homecoming at Jack Trice Stadium that’s as big as they come for this Cyclones program.

It’s the first time since No. 19 Iowa State beat 20th-ranked Nebraska 36-14 in 2002 that ranked teams played in The Jack, and if that doesn’t trip your trigger, then how about this:

The 5-2 Cyclones are playing for a hunk of the Big 12 Conference lead – and that’s something significant, too.

Bowl eligibility for the first time since 2012? That’s out there, as well, but as Lanning said Wednesday:

“We're not worried about getting to six wins. We want more.”

The ISU-TCU Big Breakdown

IOWA STATE RUSHING VS. TCU

No one rushes well against TCU, so don’t freak out if Iowa State can’t live up to whatever expectations you have. Just two conference rushers have exceeded 100 yards against the Frogs – West Virginia’s Justin Crawford (111) and Oklahoma State’s Justice Hill (102). Big 12 opponents average 72.0 rushing yards. “I think the biggest thing about TCU is speed,” coach Matt Campbell said. “You look at their team offensively, defense and special teams — it’s all about their ability to run.” Furthermore, TCU’s front seven is very, very good. ADVANTAGE: TCU.

IOWA STATE PASSING VS. TCU

Here’s where Iowa State could shine, unless Thursday and Friday’s blasts of gusty wind continue. Big 12 opponents have some long-gainers, including passing plays of 86 yards by Oklahoma State, and 76 and 64 yards by West Virginia. Three Horned Frog starting defensive backs stand 5-foot-10, while the Cyclones have 6-6 Hakeem Butler and 6-5 Allen Lazard. Iowa State specializes in the 1-on-1 red-zone pass to Lazard in the corner of the end zone. "It's like a basketball team," TCU coach Gary Patterson said. "They do a great job of creating space, because of their size and what they do." ADVANTAGE: Iowa State.

Iowa State wide receiver Allen Lazard (5) catches the game winning touchdown between Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas (7) and safety Chanse Sylvie (28) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017. Iowa State won 38-31. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)(Photo: Sue Ogrocki/AP)

TCU RUSHING VS. IOWA STATE

Beware of the versatile quarterback, and in this case, that’s TCU’s Kenny Hill. He doesn’t have great rushing statistics, but he’s good enough to at least put that thought into defense’s minds. The Horned Frogs average 174 rushing yards against Big 12 opponents, while Iowa State rushes for 101.2. Both teams will try to establish the rush – especially if the weather isn’t conducive to the pass. No Big 12 back has had a 100-yard game against the Cyclones. ADVANTAGE: Iowa State.

Hill hasn’t been as pick-prone this season as he was in 2016; he’s had just one interception in four Big 12 games. Iowa State has intercepted passes in five of seven games. Linebacker Marcel Spears and safety Kamari Cotton-Moya returned interceptions for touchdowns. Just winging it here, assuming it’s a windy and cold Saturday afternoon in Ames. ADVANTAGE: Iowa State.

Prediction: Iowa State 24, TCU 20.

Around the Big 12

Oklahoma State and West Virginia will turn their attention to Ames after their 11 a.m. game Saturday. Their winner COULD be in a first-place tie.

If Iowa State beats unbeaten TCU, then it’s a logjam atop the Big 12 standings with four games remaining. Two of the four once-beatens meet in Morgantown, thus their postgame need to know what’s happening in Ames.

Meanwhile, Baylor is continuing its path that could lead toward a winless season, Oklahoma is trying to stay on a road that leads to Dallas and the Big 12 Conference championship game, and Kansas State’s three-game losing streak is likely to end at Kansas.

No. 12 Oklahoma State (3-1, 6-1) at No. 22 West Virginia (3-1, 5-2)

Time, TV: 11 a.m., ABC

Vegas line: Oklahoma State by 7½ points

Prediction: Glance at the Big 12 statistics, and this figures to be a wide-open passing game, with pass-a-plenty quarterbacks pitching to a couple of the league’s best receivers. Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph has 1,151 passing yards, while West Virginia’s Will Grier is next at 1,440. The best rushing team will win – and Oklahoma State’s Justice Hill is the Big 12’s top rusher.

Score: Oklahoma State 35, West Virginia 28

Texas (2-2, 3-4) at Baylor (0-4, 0-7)

Time, TV: 11 a.m., ESPNU

Vegas line: Texas by 8 points

Prediction: Baylor has shown signs of improvement, but don’t overthink this one. Texas’ defense is good enough to shut down anything the Bears throw at it. Coach Tom Herman’s Longhorns have some catching up to do if they’re going bowling. Somehow, they must find three more wins among remaining games against Baylor, TCU, Kansas, West Virginia and Texas Tech.

Score: Texas 37, Baylor 10.

Buy Photo

Kansas State's Jesse Ertz passes during their game against Iowa State on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016, in Ames.(Photo: Brian Powers/The Register)

Kansas State (1-3, 3-4) at Kansas (0-4, 1-6)

Time, TV: 2 p.m., FS1

Vegas line: Kansas State by 24 points

Prediction: Quarterback Jesse Ertz is likely to be Kansas State’s starting quarterback after missing the previous two games because of a knee injury. “As far as who the starter will be this week, it would be Jesse if he is 100 percent healthy,” Wildcats football coach Bill Snyder said Monday on the Big 12 teleconference. “We anticipate that he will be.” And how about this statistic the Kansas City Star newspaper — Kansas is heading into a game after having been shut out in consecutive weeks for the first time since 1986.

Score: Kansas State 37, Kansas 14.

Texas Tech (1-3, 4-3) at No. 9 Oklahoma (3-1, 6-1)

Time, TV: 7 p.m., ABC, ESPN2

Vegas line: Oklahoma by 19 points

Prediction: Texas Tech melted down in the second half against West Virginia two weeks ago. Last Saturday, the Red Raiders lost against Iowa State. A third loss in a row is imminent against a team that’s won two in a row since losing against the Cyclones. Oklahoma is one of many trying to stay in contention for the Big 12 championship game, and, of course, the Sooners have Baker Mayfield.

Score: Oklahoma 38, Texas Tech 20.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been with the Register for parts of five decades. Randy writes opinion and analysis of Iowa State football and basketball. You can reach Randy at rpeterson@dmreg.com or on Twitter at @RandyPete.